Eric Allen, Director of Environmental, Health and Safety for Lehman-Roberts, A Granite Company, has been selected as one of the Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2025. The 40 Under 40 recognition honors accomplished individuals under 40 in the Memphis and Mid-South area who have made significant contributions to their community in business, professional, civic, and personal realms. Eric was honored at the awards event held at the Overton Park Shell on May 15.
Since joining Lehman-Roberts in 2023, Eric has brought an exceptional background in safety and risk management, previously serving in critical roles at Amazon and Chemours. His professional journey is marked by a deep commitment to workplace safety and a passion for protecting others.
As a Memphis-area native, Eric graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English.
Eric’s professional achievements are also backed by an impressive array of certifications, including Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), and Certified Hazardous Material Manager (CHMM).
He shared, “I first realized I wanted to become a safety professional during my time in college. At that point, I was considering law school, but I recognized a significant gap in the safety profession. There was a clear need for individuals who understood the law and could apply it to protect employees in the workplace.”
To gain firsthand experience, Eric recounts that he spent as much time as possible working alongside various craft personnel, including welders, chemical plant operators, equipment operators, and many others. He added, “I understood that to be an effective safety professional, I needed to learn the nuances of their crafts to apply my growing knowledge in a practical, real-world context. This hands-on experience allowed me to not only deepen my understanding of safety but also to better relate to the team and their challenges.”
Beyond the workplace, Eric demonstrates his commitment to the industry through various roles. He is an active member of the TRBA/TDOT Work Zone and Safety Group and serves on the Public Safety Education Commission for the City of Germantown. Additionally, he has held the position of Past President for the West Tennessee Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP).
In his free time, Eric enjoys serving as a competitive soccer coach for Germantown Legends Soccer. Additionally, he is an avid barbecue connoisseur, having participated in several grilling competitions over the years.
“Moving forward, I aim to shift my focus toward mentoring and giving back as an impactful leader. My goal is to [continue to] foster strong synergy [across teams] to reduce workplace injuries,” said Eric. “I believe this can be achieved by mentoring the next generation of operations and safety professionals, guiding them to lead with humility… By instilling these values, I hope to create a lasting impact that ensures safety remains at the forefront of workplace culture.”
We are incredibly proud of this recognition and grateful to have such a dedicated, passionate member of the team. This honor is a testament to Eric’s tireless work, unwavering commitment, and outstanding contributions to our community and the industry. Congratulations, Eric!
Eric’s passion for safety demonstrated through annual training and morning huddle-ups.
Lehman-Roberts is a wholly owned subsidiary of Granite Construction. Learn more at https://www.graniteconstruction.com/company/our-brands.
